I. TOP Yokohama "Automatic Driving Project for Route Buses"-Japan's first autonomous driving through remote monitoring and operation with large buses-

Yokohama City, Sotetsu Bus Co., Ltd., and Gunma University launched the “Route Bus Autonomous Driving Project” in September 2019 with the aim of realizing sustainable mobility services using autonomous driving technology as an initiative of “IT TOP Yokohama” to promote the creation of new businesses through IoT and other means, and this time Japan Mobility Co., Ltd., a venture company originating from Gunma University, also joined.
As part of this project, at the Sotetsu Bus Asahi Sales Office (Asahi-ku, Yokohama City) on July 27, 2020, and on the 29th, Japan Mobility cooperated in the joint research conducted by the Sotetsu Bus and Gunma University, and conducted the first remote operation test using a large autonomous vehicle in Japan.
In fiscal 2020, we plan to conduct a second demonstration test in business operation using the "remote monitoring and operation system" (the timing and location are undecided). We will continue to verify the possibility of improving social acceptance and strengthening the public transportation network, aiming for commercial operation by "Level 4" autonomous driving.
Through the efforts of this project, Yokohama City will promote the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises and venture companies through open innovation and promote the “Innovation City Yokohama”.